One of my ICAN friends posted this on Facebook today:
BirthCut Calling all C/S mothers! I am looking for positive cesarean birth stories! I am also looking for any tips about the actual surgery and/or recovery you may have for cesarean mothers. And, well, anything else you may have — art, videos, etc etc. Thanks!
Interesting thought. Do I have anything positive to say about my cesareans? Actually, I think I do:
DECEMBER 2004
I was exhausted from the flu – vomiting and pooping everywhere. The illness forced my body into labor before we were ready. Although I arrived at the hospital at 9cm dilated, my baby quickly got stuck. I don’t know if I could have pushed her out. I was so utterly exhausted. I pushed with everything I had and it still wasn’t enough. By the time I had the cesarean I was incredibly thankful for the “convenience” of modern medicine.
I did recover quickly physically. I don’t recall feeling poorly for long. And I still felt like superwoman . . . for a while, anyway.
AUGUST 2009
Pregnant with twins which meant that I was “risked out” of homebirth and birth center birth. By 37 weeks both twins were breech. When my Baby A broke her water in the middle of the night, I knew she did it with her feet. I was so disappointed because the LAST THING I WANTED was to go through major abdominal surgery again. I had learned so much about my body . . . I learned that my miscarriages were likely influenced by the presence of adenomyosis (caused by the first cesarean in 2004) . . . I knew that if I were to get pregnant again that a VBAC after 2 cesareans would be nearly impossible unless I wanted to try it alone . . . I know that these abdominal surgeries are risky in my line of work (I’m an opera singer).
I had considered bucking the system since breech is a variation of normal, depending on who you ask. I thank God for guiding me elsewhere, because my precious Baby A would not have likely survived a vaginal birth. She was entangled in her cord, and the cord was wrapped around her legs. Both girls presented double footling breech.
Although I am still in pain 5 months later, and have yet another scar, and have yet another saggy somewhat sensation-less flap of skin above my scar, and have found my singing to be anything but stellar due to my weakened core, I am thankful that a cesarean was available to me.
I don’t recommend a cesarean unless it is really REALLY necessary . . . sad that probably half of the cesareans that are performed in the United States are likely not necessary. A cesarean is considered a morbidity because of its seriousness – it’s a MAJOR abdominal surgery. However, there are situations where a cesarean may be prudent or necessary. When the technology is used appropriately, it is indeed a blessing. To learn more about c-sections, visit Childbirth Connection and ICAN.
The Trial of Labor 
I had a caeserean 2 years ago and recovered within a couple of weeks, i was up and about within a few hours after having surgery and was very lucky with my scar it healed very quickly and now is hardly noticeable. I had a planned c-section so not sure if this made a difference but the actual birth of my baby was very good, they doctors and nurses were very helpful and I got to feed my baby within half hour of her being born. If you have to have a caeserean it is better to be a planned one than an emergency one obviously but I think either way aslong as you try and get up and about as soon as you feel ready you should heal fairly quickly, most people i know that have had pain after is because they stayed in bed for too long after surgery so it then became more sore to move whereas if you get up and move sooner it makes it more easier to cope but in fairness i didnt have too much pain no more so than my natural birth with a tear. I hope this helps someone realise not all c-sections are bad and you can have a good birth be it naturally or ceasarean
Lots of love to you and your babies. I wish you swift healing and a warm welcome to your footling babes. Sometimes they throw us curve balls. You made good decisions.
Best, XxL